Aviva, I used to be the teacher that told my sdeutnts what to do and when. I am no longer that teacher. For example during our first term together my sdeutnts learned a variety of ways to practice word work. Over the course of a week I would rotate everyone through different stations. I spent the appropriate amount of time teaching them why/how to use the stations correctly and what type of learning I was looking for at each station. With the new year and the new term I no longer tell my sdeutnts how to practice. They now choose and practice in a way that is most meaningful to them. My sdeutnts have choice with their reading, writing, and word work options. They often have choice with their math options too. I think our job as teachers is to give them a foundation but to encourage and support as they discover the world. I think sometimes when we make all the choices for them they fail to learn how to think for themselves.As you are aware this has been quite a professional growth year for me. I've made a lot of changes with my teaching, including letting go of a lot, but I'm really pleased with the out come so far. My sdeutnts are reading, writing, and doing math in ways that are meaningful to them. Obviously I am still around to guide, prompt, redirect, and encourage when necessary but for the most part they have taken a lot more control of their learning and I can't ask for any more than that. It's exciting times I tell you.One thing I need to improve on is getting my sdeutnts to vocalize their learning better. I am super impressed with what you've been doing with your sdeutnts. Asking those important questions, and listening too. While I think I do this, I know I could do this a whole lot better. Yet another goal for me to add to my list. Thanks for sharing your learning with me. I love the way you constantly push my thinking and make me critically analyze what I do with my sdeutnts and why.Karen
